Hi! We're a young married couple making our way in the world. Remember that couple you haven't seen since you had kids? That's us. ;)

We both have full time careers and this blog is our space to share our past and current DIY projects, crafts, recipes, travels, and whatever else we feel like. Two pups add to the hijinx in our misadventures and we wouldn't trade them for anything. Thanks for stopping by and keep in touch!

Welcome leaf peepers!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

That's right...Welcome Sunshine Home is ten sheets to the wind! This is a quick and easy (no sew) project and I'll show you how to do it! Here's a peek at the project in progress...

I don't know about your neighborhood but this isn't something you see every day in Maine. Why did we go for it? We have a convenient city lot which requires minimal yard work (yay!) but the trade off is limited privacy. We have a7ft x 24ft farmers porch that's been unused five years and it's time to enjoy it! Plus, I think it looks pretty. :)

It all started last weekend with the purchase of these bountiful beauties.

We thought hanging the huge purple one on the end of the porch facing our neighbors would block the view of their side door and windows. We were right! Here's what it looked like before our porch makeover.

I started thinking that even more privacy would be better and saw the new secret ingredient for the Iron Crafter Challenge was sheets and pillowcases. I put the two together and promptly set off to tell Jake about my latest idea. I expected him to think I'd gone nutty and try to talk me out of it but he happily jumped aboard my crazy train. We took measurements of everything, loaded up the pups, and headed out for the Great Sheet Hunt of 2010 on Father's day.

We quickly determined that ten white twin size sheets from walmart at $3 a pop (I can't seem to find them online) would get us the most fabric for our buck. They are 8ft long and that's in the range we were hunting for. We snagged six 44"-88" curtain rods for $7 each at Christmas Tree Shop. We also spent about $100 on some new outdoor pillows, more flowers, and a few other random items (like Scotchguard) during our travels to complete the front porch makeover.

It's tutorial time!Step 1:Prepare. Measure. Measure again then gather all your supplies. Decide how many curtain rods and sheets you need to get the look you want. We used one rod and two twin sheets on each 7ft end of the porch, and four rods and six twin sheets across the 24ft front. I considered using some full sheets ($6) across the front because they are the same length (8ft) but I like the flexibility I'll have to slide the 6 sheets around (I might even pick up two more). You can pre-wash the sheets if you want. I didn't bother because I don't mind if they shrink some when I wash them later.

Step 2:Install your curtain rods. Jake did this while I got the sheets ready to hang. Consider the length of your sheets and if you want them to puddle or not. I wanted our to be a bit off the deck (pretty much even with our bottom rail) so I can easily sweep under them.

Proof that we're level. Pretty good for a house that's 100+ years old, huh?

Step 3: Remove packaging from walmart sheets and save the fabric pouch for use later in step 7.

Step 4: Let 'er rip! Find the two top hem corners of each sheet. Release the side hem (3-4") on each of these corners. This creates a pocket that a curtain rod can easily slide into. Use fray block as desired. I choose not to sew and finish these hems properly because these edges can only be seen from on our porch if you look really closely. If you're on our porch, then you are family or friends and you could care less about finished edges on my outdoor sheet curtains. Plus they are easy to just sort of tuck under once they are on the rod. :) Behold the wonder of the No Sew outdoor curtains. See I told ya I could do it!

Step 5: Iron each sheet. Ok, so, um, I was way too excited to see the finished results to iron. Let's say I'm experimenting to see if the natural heat and humidity of summer takes care of the wrinkles.

Step 6: Hang each sheet and spray them with Scotchguard if you want to. Step back and admire your handiwork thus far, squeal with girlish delight, and get back to work.

Step 7: Find the fabric pouches you set aside in step 3 above. These make handy tie backs! Wrap the tab top around the bunched fabric, snap it, tuck the tail in, and fluff it a bit. This reminds me of the puff on the back of some bridemaids' dresses. :) Bonus: you won't have to worry about any colors running onto the white sheets. I have sisal rope that I was planning to use so I'll probably mix things up soon.

There are two sheets swagged together between the iron hanging baskets to help balance the opening for the porch entrance.

What do you think? Would you try this at home?

Secret Ingredient #2 for the Iron Crafter Challenge is Sheets and Pillowcases and I'm linking up to join in the fun again! I participated in their first challenge here. **UPDATE: We came in third. Thanks for voting for us!

This week's challenge at The CSI Project is Outdoor Decor. This is my first time linking up!

I love this! Your porch is my idea of relaxation and now with these curtains...WOW! Thanks for the tutorial...it looks fairly easy with a little help. Gotta love using sheets...and NO sew projects! {Now I just need to get a porch!}I LOVE IT!SharlotteMs. Sharlotte's...Southern Reflections

I LOVE THEM!!! What a great idea!!! I love your house too :)) It is just beautiful!! I love to see ordinary (and cheap) everyday items being used for other things!! Way to go!!And your Jake... definitely a keeper!!!Treasure him with all you have... I have been married to my sweet husband for almost 19 years!!! Time flies when you're having fun :)) I would love for you to come visit and see some of my transformations!!Have a wonderful day relaxing on your porch!!~ Michella ~~ ~ xoxo ~ ~

Hello there! This is my first time on your blog. I LOVE the curtains on your porch -- you did a fabulous job! And your hanging baskets look so, so pretty. I will be back to visit again!Best regards,Gloria

Your porch looks AWESOME!!! I would love to have curtains like that! I could do that on our back patio, but the weather is so funky in Texas I don't know how it would hold up. Great job though! So glad you found my site and I'm a new follower now. :)

Lovely porch project!Not many people add curtains to their front porches, although there is a nearby house with deep plum-colored velvet-looking draperies on their open front porch -- it matches the window trim on their Victorian and looks amazing.

Thanks for stopping by That Old House! Yes, old houses ROCK ... sometimes literally. In fact the MOST amazing thing about your porch post is that your porch is LEVEL. Level. Just an elusive dream in most old houses.... :-)

I absolutely love this idea! I am a lover of privacy at certain times and this would render that without being too in your face! And it looks very pretty! Thanks for the tutorial. This is getting bookmarked!

I would so try that if I had a porch like that, I dream of one day owning a home with porch like that.It looks so beautiful and you can just feel the breeze in the evening listening to those crickets chirp.Ah, summerAmy

Your porch was pretty before, but now it's absolutely gorgeous, and very romantic! I would love to do this on our porch too. I'm going to check out the rest of your blog now, and go vote for you too!Happy White Wednesday!Carol

I LOVE this - I never thought about using sheets! I want to redo my outdoor kitchen/porch and this is EXACTLY what I want it to look like in the back - $6 sheets - hello that is awesome! :)Thanks for stopping by my blog - loving reading your top projects for the year!